Progression Iginition distributors
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Progression Iginition distributors
Never heard of these before and a video of them came up on my YouTube feed. They actually look really cool. It's an all electronic distributor that you program with your smart phone (via Bluetooth). You can set timing/advance/rev even while the car is running and change or save different curves. Anyone have any experience with using one?
https://progressionignition.com/
https://progressionignition.com/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
The beauty of GM's points or big HEI are just how simple & robust they are.
I recall one of the big aftermarket mfg (?) DID offer an on-board programmable curve (no bluetooth) ... it proved so unreliable they simply discontinued it.
Bet a round you won't find a module for that $500 prog-bluetooth piece at NAPA ... when it pukes, you're done.
I recall one of the big aftermarket mfg (?) DID offer an on-board programmable curve (no bluetooth) ... it proved so unreliable they simply discontinued it.
Bet a round you won't find a module for that $500 prog-bluetooth piece at NAPA ... when it pukes, you're done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
The beauty of GM's points or big HEI are just how simple & robust they are.
I recall one of the big aftermarket mfg (?) DID offer an on-board programmable curve (no bluetooth) ... it proved so unreliable they simply discontinued it.
Bet a round you won't find a module for that $500 prog-bluetooth piece at NAPA ... when it pukes, you're done.
I recall one of the big aftermarket mfg (?) DID offer an on-board programmable curve (no bluetooth) ... it proved so unreliable they simply discontinued it.
Bet a round you won't find a module for that $500 prog-bluetooth piece at NAPA ... when it pukes, you're done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
I hear about these stand alone programmable ignitions but I cant make much of a case for one. If you are pushing your engine hard you are off the curve anyway. Idle can be adequate without all the fancy bells and whistles. You give up ease of finding replacement parts.... Just not something that solves a problem for me and probably adds a risk or two. JMO.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 3
I installed one in my 79. With the cam I'm using for vacuum, LSA is 114, had less than ideal low end performance unless timing was at 20. Of course, then you have trouble starting and total timing. So, ran it at 16. This distributor starts at 10 (fixed), and you determine idle, max timing, and many other settings. It is very tunable to your engine and cam. Made a difference in my low end performance up to RPM limit. Also has built in RPM limit and ignition lockout for theft. I really like it. Had no issues with install or synching with Bluetooth. Will it last? Only time will tell. I've still got the MSD distributor as a backup.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
one would think an oem efi box could run the ignition curve without an efi hooked to it. then you have sturdy control box and cheap durable small cap hei. and a programmable ignition curve.
Last edited by derekderek; Jun 26, 2020 at 01:58 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
Agree 200%! Points distributors require very little maintenance and rarely will leave you stranded. I carry a spare set of points and coil just in case. Had to use it last year, saw a street rod stalled and stopped to assist him and he was sure his coil was fried. Put my spare coil in and $30 later he was back on the road!